Amber Alert

Earlier this month authorities launched a new campaign to try and find out what happened to Jacob Wetterling. Wetterling was abducted while riding bikes with his brother and friend 25 years ago Wednesday. And while his disappearance remains a mystery, his case has led to changes that now help other missing children.

Police in Duluth, Minn. located a 14-year-old girl who they were searching for Wednesday afternoon. According to police, Kaytlyn Rae Quintana left Denfeld High School in mini-van around 2:40 p.m. Wednesday.

The late Sen. Rod Grams is being recognized for his work in bringing the Amber Alert system to Minnesota. The FBI has posthumously awarded Grams with its FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. In 2002 Grams was instrumental in making Minnesota the seventh state to implement the Amber Alert system.

A 30-year-old Minneapolis woman who kidnapped her friend’s baby back in February, prompting an Amber Alert, was sentenced in Hennepin County Court on Monday. Isabel Diaz-Castillo was sentenced to three years in prison with credit for 181 days served. She pleaded guilty back in July to one count of kidnapping in connection with the incident.

Just last week, an 8-month-old Minneapolis boy kidnapped from his home was found safe after an Amber Alert. You may have seen the alert posted on highway signs, or even been notified on your cell phone.

Wednesday’s quick and safe recovery of an abducted 8-month-old Minneapolis child was not only the first time an Amber Alert was sent to Minnesota cell phones, but it was the first time in the United States that a cell phone alert successfully helped recover a missing child.